The Trustees of Reservations has closed access for non-essential vehicles to Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge. As of earlier today, our ecology staff discovered 4 unfledged Piping plover chicks had crossed over the barrier beach north of the Dike Bridge to feed along the shoreline of Cape Poge Bay. Under state and federal law we have no discretion in this kind of situation and must close vehicle access to protect these state and federally listed shorebirds. These chicks are approximately 1 week old and may continue to cross and re-cross the barrier beach or may opt to feed along the outer beach. In that case we may be able to re-open vehicle access for non-essential vehicles north of the Dike Bridge. However, we expect other nests to begin hatching in that same area. We will update this site as soon as we have further updates.

Our mission is to protect and preserve properties of exceptional scenic, historic and ecological value. These natural wildlife resources are part of this landscape and are our responsibility to protect. We count on you and your support to accomplish this mission. Thank you for your help and understanding.

Elsewhere, most of the outside of Leland Beach closed to vehicles and dogs to protect unfledged plover chicks on the outside beach opposite the Dike Bridge and unfledged chicks at the Leland crossover 1/2 mile south of the Dike Bridge. Vehicles are still able to cross the Dike Bridge and access Wasque Point and Norton Point Beach via the inside trails on Leland.

I will keep you up to date as this situation changes. Hopefully most of these chicks are able to make it to fledging which generally takes 28-30 days.